The corporations, athletes and entertainers at the center of those industries generate opportunity and influence that extend well beyond the spotlight, fueling local businesses and the people around them. That broader community impact is where Schultz aims to make her mark in the legal field.

She got a firsthand look at the breadth of that work during her Residency-in-Practice this winter at Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group ā€” a boutique firm in Charlotte that counsels clients across a range of matters, from contracts, sponsorships and endorsements to intellectual property and brand protection.

ā€œIā€™ve really enjoyed knowing that the work we do has a meaningful impact,ā€ Schultz said. ā€œThese organizations and individuals have a real connection to their communities, and being part of that has been important to me.ā€

Before enrolling in law school, Schultz spent nearly eight years teaching elementary school after earning a bachelorā€™s degree in psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Working with students and their families, she discovered a passion for advocacy that ultimately led her to pursue a legal career.

Schultz said ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s emphasis on experiential learning played a significant role in her decision to attend the school. The Residency-in-Practice Program, a cornerstone of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s curriculum, places every second-year student in a full-time, 10-week residency with a judge or practicing lawyer, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in real legal settings.

At Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group in Charlotte, Schultz received close mentorship from the law firmā€™s team of attorneys working on matters ranging from document drafting to client interviewing. It was an inside look at the legal field that strengthened practical skills and confidence she will carry into her legal career.

ā€œThis has confirmed that I can succeed in this area and that I really enjoy the work,ā€ Schultz said. ā€œIā€™m full steam ahead on this path after law school.ā€

Below, Schultz reflects on her residency experience and what she learned while working with the Apollo team.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and why sports and entertainment law?

Before law school, I taught elementary school for seven and a half years, working with kindergarten, first, second and fifth graders. One of the parts of teaching I loved most was advocating for students and their families and helping them navigate challenges. Law felt like a natural next step to build on that advocacy and develop the skills and credentials to support people in new ways.

I became interested in sports and entertainment law as name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities began reshaping college athletics. Not everyone comes from financial privilege or financial security, and NIL allows student-athletes to pursue a degree while also helping support themselves and their families.

Why were you interested in completing your residency with Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group?

Apollo stood out to me because of the breadth of work the firm handles across the sports and entertainment industries. The attorneys work on a wide range of matters, from brand agreements and trademark issues to litigation and transactional work, and I wanted the opportunity to see how those different areas come together in practice.

I was also drawn to the firmā€™s boutique environment. Working with a smaller team provided the opportunity to take on meaningful assignments, receive direct feedback and better understand the reasoning behind the work we were doing. The combination of variety and mentorship made it an ideal place to learn.

What were your daily responsibilities?

Every day was different, which was one of the most exciting parts of the experience. I worked on a variety of projects ranging from reviewing employee handbooks for compliance with state and federal laws to conducting trademark clearance checks and drafting legal documents.

I also helped redline different agreements, like revenue-sharing agreements, and drafted settlement and cease-and-desist letters.

What was it like working with the attorneys at Apollo Law Group?

The mentorship was incredible. Every attorney in the firm played a role in guiding me through the work and explaining the reasoning behind different legal decisions. They were truly mentors in every sense of the word.

They trusted me with meaningful assignments, like redlining agreements and participating in client meetings, and then walked through the work with me afterward. That process helped me understand not only the legal details but also how attorneys approach problems by prioritizing the clientā€™s best interest and overall goals.

What skills did you strengthen during the residency?

Contract drafting and redlining were two of the biggest skills I developed during the placement. Those are tools that I now feel confident using in practice.

My legal research skills also improved, especially learning how to locate information efficiently and communicate it clearly. I also became more comfortable interacting with clients and working in a professional legal environment.

What advice would you give to students searching for a residency placement?

Think carefully about the kind of legal work you want to do long-term and try to align your residency with those goals. The placement gives you 10 weeks of hands-on experience with attorneys who are committed to helping you learn. Choose a residency that will give you meaningful experience and help you grow professionally. Itā€™s an opportunity to confirm what type of work you enjoy before you begin your career.

At ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law, Schultz is vice president of the Student Bar Association, a student mentor and teaching assistant. She is an active member of student organizations including the Women’s Law Association, the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, First Gen Society, and OUTLaw.

Craige traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend oral arguments in two cases ā€” including those for a closely watched immigration asylum case ā€” after securing tickets through the Courtā€™s public lottery.

ā€œIt was an unforgettable experience to watch the Justices engage in real time: asking questions, testing arguments and shaping the legal issues Iā€™ve spent the past few years studying,ā€ Craige said.

A 2024 graduate of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ with a degree in psychology, Craigeā€™s interest in law grew from a desire to lead, advocate and serve her community. At ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law, she is a Leadership Fellow and member of the Moot Court Board. The daughter of a U.S. Air Force family, she spent much of her childhood on and near military bases, including in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family now lives in northern Virginia.

During her visit, the Court heard arguments in Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, a bankruptcy case, and Noem v. Al Otro Lado, which centers on the rights of asylum seekers at the U.S.ā€“Mexico border. Craige was especially struck by the immigration case. Justices closely examined the meaning of statutory language, parsing even what it means to ā€œarriveā€ in the United States. The questioning, she said, revealed how minute distinctions in wording can carry significant consequences in how the law is applied.

ā€œIt was incredible to see how even small details can shape the outcome of a case,ā€ she said.

The experience felt both familiar and surreal. Craige recognized concepts from class while watching justices press attorneys in real time.

She also experienced something impossible to capture in textbooks and manuals: The rhythm of the room.

ā€œSeeing the justices interact, even joking at times, made it feel less abstract,ā€ Craige said. ā€œIt reminded me these are real people behind the decisions we study.ā€

This spring, Craige is completing her Residency-in-Practice with the Guilford County District Attorneyā€™s Office. She is exploring a future in the Judge Advocate Generalā€™s Corps, a return to the kind of service that shaped her childhood.

ā€œMoments like this remind me why I chose this path,ā€ she said.

The 2026 results surpassed the previous high of $46,157.01 set during ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Day 2025 and reflected broad engagement from alumni, students, parents and friends of the law school.

ā€œThere is an energy at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law that you wonā€™t find anywhere else,” said Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Engagement Scott Leighty. “Philanthropy here is more than just giving. Every gift is a direct investment in this special community and the innovative way we prepare students for the profession. Seeing our alumni, students, parents and friends come together like this shows just how much they believe in our mission.ā€

In total, 178 donors made gifts on March 5, a 24.5% increase from the 143 donors who participated on ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Day in 2025.

Participation increased across nearly every constituency group.

• Gifts from students rose sharply to 45 donors, up from eight last year ā€” a 462.5% increase.
• Parent participation increased to 12 donors, up from eight, or 50%.
• Alumni participation also climbed, with 64 alumni making gifts compared with 56 last year, a 14.2% rise.

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Day events and competitions were held throughout the day on March 5, including a large ā€œEā€-painting competition among student organizations and an evening celebration at Joymongers in downtown Greensboro. Perhaps the highlight was a Pie Your Professor event, with student donors lining up to hurl plates of whipped cream at Dean Zak Kramer, Professors Steve Friedland and Bob Minarcin, and Assistant Professors Erin Fitzgerald and Susan Ross.

Kramer praised the growing support for ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law and the community members who help make the annual day of giving successful.

ā€œI want to thank everyone for their contributions, whether philanthropic, pitching in to make the day special, taking a pie to the face, or all of it,ā€ Kramer said. ā€œThese gifts go directly to support our students and the opportunities that prepare them for the profession.ā€

Kramer also credited Leightyā€™s leadership in connecting with alumni and supporters, growing ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s momentum.

ā€œScott is doggedly pursuing financial support for our students,ā€ Kramer said. ā€œItā€™s not easy asking people for money, but our numbers keep increasing in a remarkably steep line. Itā€™s a testament to his hard work and the great investment of our whole community.ā€

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Day gifts help fund scholarships, student programs and experiential learning opportunities that define ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s innovative, practice-focused curriculum.

The growth in participation during ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Day reflects a broader trend in philanthropy supporting ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law. The law school has seen steady increases in donor engagement over the past several years, underscoring the strength of its alumni network and the communityā€™s investment in the next generation of lawyers.

Recent ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law graduate Dmitri McKinney Lā€™25 appeared as a contestant on where a legal hypothetical (or what sounded like one) led him astray.

Calling in from his hometown of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ, McKinney joined host Peter Sagal for the programā€™s ā€œBluff the Listenerā€ segment, where contestants try to identify the real news story among three humorous options presented by the show’s panelists.

During his introduction, McKinney shared that he had recently graduated from ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law and hopes to pursue public service or civil rights work, drawing applause from the audience.

When the panelists shared three unusual New York City stories, McKinney joked that one option ā€” involving a tourist suing over a painfully spicy taco ā€” sounded like something straight out of a first-year law class.

ā€œIā€™m not saying this is the real one, but Paula (Poundstone)ā€™s story sounded like a tort hypothetical that I know a lot of the 1Ls went through a couple of months ago,ā€ he said.

Ironically, that lawsuit story turned out to be the real one.

ā€œAll of the answer choices were so entertaining, but I thought there was no way that the real answer would essentially be a giant torts foreseeability hypothetical!ā€ McKinney said afterward. ā€œI wound up picking Alonzo Boddenā€™s story because it was so kind-hearted.ā€

He appeared on the show after submitting an online form shortly after graduating from ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law in December.

ā€œI have been a lifelong listener of NPR and of ā€˜Wait Wait ā€¦ Donā€™t Tell Me!ā€™ so I wanted being on the show to mark a special occasion,ā€ McKinney said. ā€œSomeone from the show texted me last week asking if I still wanted to be on the show. It was an absolute delight.ā€

At ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law, McKinney was a Presidential Scholar, Leadership Fellow, editor-in-chief of We the People: ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s Constitutional Law Journal, president of the Innocence Organization, Law School Democrats and active on the Honor Council. He earned undergraduate degrees from North Carolina State University in chemistry and political science.

The new members are:

• Favia Delgado LFā€™28
• Trinity Jones LFā€™28
• Yukai Johnson LFā€™28
• Jane Lockwood LFā€™28
• Nadia Mazza LFā€™28
• Kayla Price LFā€™28

They are the first Flex Program students to become members of the School of Lawā€™s Moot Court Board. Students were selected based on a combination of their performance in the fall 2025 Flex Program Intramural Moot Court Competition, their appellate brief writing in the Legal Method and Communication III course, and their overall academic record.

Members of the Moot Court Board represent ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law in external appellate advocacy competitions and help organize internal moot court events.

ā€œThese students distinguished themselves through strong written and oral advocacy skills, thoughtful analysis, and professionalism,ā€ said Vice Dean Alan Woodlief, director of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s Moot Court Program. ā€œWeā€™re excited to welcome them to the Moot Court Board and look forward to seeing them represent ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law in national competitions. They will also play an important role this fall helping coordinate the Intramural Moot Court Competitions and the 17th Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition, one of our programā€™s signature events.ā€

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ football player and nursing student Jake Marion ’26 was recently for donating bone marrow through the National Marrow Donor Programā€Æ(formerly Be The Match)

The national nonprofit agency works to spread awareness of the need for bone marrow donation and to increase the number of participants in theĀ bone marrowĀ registry.ā€ÆWhileĀ ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Football has workedĀ with the organization for several years, Club NursingĀ joinedĀ in 2024Ā for an annual awareness and registry event.

Marion joined the registry through ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Football in 2022. He was almost matched in previous years, but blood testing revealed it was not a high enough match necessary for donation. That all changed this year when he got a call in January to begin the donation process, which was completed this spring.

ā€œHeā€™s a part of me now, and Iā€™m a part of him,ā€ Marion said of the recipient. ā€œMy cells are inside his body and hopefully theyā€™re doing their job, and theyā€™re helping him, so itā€™s hard. Iā€™m just praying heā€™s going to get better, and Iā€™m rooting for him.ā€

Marion was matched earlier this year as an exact genetic donor after previously joining the donor registry. He described his decision to donate as deeply personal, noting that the experience of caring for his sick grandmother helped inspire his nursing path. After completing the three-hour stem cell collection process, Marion emphasized the significance of giving someone a real chance to fight cancer ā€” even if the donation procedure is taxing on the body.

ā€œThose stem cells are basically binding to the bone marrow, and itā€™s giving him a shot to recover, because this is the first time in his life where his body has been strong enough to fight the cancer,” he said. Ā “From there, what they can do is actually attack with chemotherapy. It might be a tiny bit taxing to your body, but itā€™s well worth it for the person thatā€™s struggling with their life.”

Assistant Professor of Nursing and Club Nursing faculty advisor Jeanmarie Koonts offered thoughtful commentary in the article on the role of compassion in healthcare education. She highlighted that while clinical skills and techniques are essential, the ability to empathize and truly care for others is equally vital to the nursing profession.

ā€œFor many years running, nursing has been voted the most trusted profession,ā€ Koonts said, adding that empathy cannot always be taught but is a defining trait of exceptional caregivers.

Enrolling in law school, she imagined a future in transactional work, away from public arguments and imposing judicial benches. But introductory and trial advocacy courses unearthed a hidden talent for advocacy and led to her joining ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s Mock Trial Team. Now, the courtroom is where she intends to make her legal career.

ā€œMock trial made me more comfortable in the courtroom and showed me that my personality fits best in that environment,ā€ Ellis said. ā€œNow I canā€™t imagine not litigating.ā€

Earlier this month, Ellis was named one of the Top 6 Attorneys at the Regional, held at Wake Forest University and administered by the Texas Young Lawyers Association. The honor came in a field of 42 student attorneys from law schools across the region.

Ellis competed alongside co-attorney Nicolas Dā€™Amelio Lā€™26 and witnesses Justin Howard Lā€™26 and Harrison Jordan Lā€™26 in a case problem inspired by the film ā€œMy Cousin Vinny.ā€ The competition required students to argue both sides of the fictional criminal case. Ellis delivered the opening statement for the defense in the first round and later presented a closing argument for the prosecution, incorporating judgesā€™ feedback between rounds.

With support from Riddle and Riddle Injury Lawyers, at , ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law fielded two teams at the Feb. 6-8 regional. The second team featured Tyler Altreche Lā€™26 and Benjamin Beach Lā€™26 as attorneys, with Benita Kamalandua Lā€™26 and Savannah Henderson Lā€™26 as witnesses.

Though the teams did not advance to nationals, Ellis said the preparation process ā€” including scrimmages against teammates and detailed coaching from Professor of Law Bob Minarcin, director of the Mock Trial Program, and attorney and former District Court Judge for Guilford County Marcus Shields ā€” sharpened her advocacy skills and confidence.

ā€œThe moment Kristian stepped into the well of the courtroom and delivered her closing argument, I knew I was watching something special,ā€ Minarcin said. ā€œShe’s a natural: commanding, confident, and compelling. With continued practice, she’s only going to sharpen those already impressive skills. I genuinely feel for the opposing counsel who will one day face her across a real courtroom.”

For Ellis, the recognition affirmed what she discovered at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law: she belongs in the courtroom.

At ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law, Ellis is active as a member of the Honor Council, Black Law Students Association, and the Intellectual Property and Sports & Entertainment Law Society. Ā She is also an admissions ambassador and teaching assistant.

Jsaela Barrow Lā€™26, Jennifer Carbajal Lā€™26, Tarrah Casey Lā€™26, Adriana Hernandez Ordonez Lā€™25, and Elyanna Smith Lā€™26 will meet biweekly with LakĆ© Laosebikan Buggs, ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional education, while participating in Student Bar Association meetings and acting as liaisons for their classmates. Student fellows elevate student perspectives, support inclusive programming and dialogue, and contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen belonging, equity, and engagement across the law school community.

ā€œOur Inclusive Excellence Fellows play a vital role in helping ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law live our values every day,ā€ Laosebikan-Buggs said. ā€œThrough their leadership, scholarship, and service, they strengthen our community and help ensure that students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.ā€

These student fellows join Associate Professor of Law Chrystal Clodomir, who is continuing for a second year as the deanā€™s faculty fellow for inclusive excellence, in advancing inclusive teaching practices, in advancing inclusive teaching practices and supporting neurodivergent students.

During the 2024ā€“25 academic year, Clodomir led a comprehensive study examining neurodivergent law studentsā€™ academic experiences through listening sessions, student surveys, and extensive legal research. The project engaged students, faculty, and student organizations in conversations about classroom practices, accessibility, and belonging, and led to the development of faculty resources.

In 2026, Clodomir will build on this foundation by developing accessible resources for students and educators, expanding her scholarship, and strengthening institutional practices that promote inclusive teaching and learning.

Carbajal will assist Clodomir in the research process this year.

ā€œProfessor Clodomirā€™s selection for a second year as Faculty Inclusive Excellence Fellow reflects both the impact of her work and the promise of what she continues to build at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law,ā€ said Laosebikan-Buggs. ā€œThrough her leadership in advancing inclusive excellence, neurodiversity, and student support, she has strengthened our academic community. Her work transforms moments that can feel vulnerable for students into pathways for empowerment, academic success, and professional confidence, and continues to move our community toward a truly inclusive culture.ā€

The 2025-2026 ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Inclusive Excellence Fellows

Jsaela Barrow Lā€™26

Hometown: Morehead City, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: Master of Public Health, Eastern Virginia Medical School; B.S. in Biology, Campbell University
Intended Practice Area: Health Law and Policy
Involvement and Leadership Roles: ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Advocacy Fellow, Black Law Students Association, and Society for Health Law & Bioethics

ā€œAs a Black woman entering a profession in which we represent only 4% of attorneys nationwide, I am deeply grateful to attend a law school that values not only my academic ability, but also my perspective. Being in this space, I know the importance of advocating not just for myself, but for others as well. As an ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law inclusive excellence fellow, I am committed to strengthening every law studentā€™s sense of belonging, while actively advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within our law school community. Through leadership and advocacy, I strive to lead with purpose and help cultivate an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and genuinely supported.ā€

Jennifer Carbajal Lā€™26

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. in Political Science, Catawba College
Intended Practice Area: Immigration and Civil Rights Law
Involvement and Leadership Roles: Vice President of Hispanic and Latinx Law Students Association; 2L representative in Honor Council; Professionalism and Social Chair of Immigration Law Society; Co-Chair of Community and Development for Student Mentors; Member of First Gen. Society

ā€œI came into law school knowing that I wanted to advocate for others, and knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of the inclusive excellence fellows. I want to use my voice and my position to advocate for individuals who have concerns that may sometimes be overlooked. I hope that throughout my time in my position, I can leave behind a safe place for students to feel comfortable to advocate for themselves and have difficult conversations that need to be addressed in such tumultuous times.ā€

Tarrah Casey Lā€™26

Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. Philosophy, Coastal Carolina University
Intended Practice Area: Disability Law, Criminal Law, Special Education Law
Involvement: Honor Council Election Council Committee Co-Chair; student mentor; ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Reaches Out committee member; Parents Attending Law School; Andrew G. Bennett Student Wellness Innovation Grant Recipient; Phi Alpha Delta;
Criminal Law Teaching Assistant

ā€œMy goal is to become the kind of lawyer who doesnā€™t just navigate the law, but helps transform it ā€” creating pathways, expanding access, and making sure every person has the chance to be seen, heard, and valued. Law gives me the tools to transform lived experiences into policy solutions, to challenge structures that perpetuate inequity, and to ensure that dignity and opportunity are not privileges but rights. Iā€™m pursuing this profession because I believe lawyers have a responsibility to stand in the gap: to speak when others cannot, to navigate complexity on behalf of those who shouldnā€™t have to, and to push institutions toward justice, compassion, and accountability.ā€

Adriana Hernandez Ordonez Lā€™25

Hometown: Snow Hill, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. in Criminology & B.A. in Sociology, Eastern Connecticut State University
Intended Practice Area: Business Law & Real Estate
Involvement and Leadership Roles: President of Hispanic & Latinx Law Student Association; Academic Fellow; ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Mentor; Moot Court Board

ā€œAs a first-generation Hispanic student, pursuing a legal education is both deeply personal and purpose-driven. Entering law school meant learning to navigate an unfamiliar environment while carrying the expectations and sacrifices of my family with me. At ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law, I found a community that affirmed my identity and encouraged me to lead with authenticity. As an inclusive excellence fellow, I hope to support students who may feel uncertain or marginalized by reminding them that their experiences are valuable and their voices matter. I am committed to advocating for equity within the legal profession and uplifting those whose perspectives are too often overlooked or misunderstood.ā€

Elyanna Smith L’26

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. in Political Science, University of North Carolina, at Charlotte
Intended Practice Area: Civil and Criminal Litigation
Involvement and Leadership Roles: Professionalism Chair of the Hispanic/Latinx Law Student Association; member of the Criminal Law Society; Participant in Lawyers for Literacy program through the Pro Bono Board

ā€œAs an inclusive excellence fellow, I hope to make ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law a safe space for all. I have seen how access, representation, and inclusion can shape someoneā€™s sense of belonging, and how the absence of those things can limit opportunities. I chose this role because I want to be part of the ongoing effort to ensure that the legal field evolves into one that welcomes and values everyone.”

About the Deanā€™s Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence

Chrystal Clodomir is an associate professor of law at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s Greensboro campus. Since 2021-22, she has taught courses in Legal Method & Communication, Education Law, Family Law and Secured Transactions. Prior to joining ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ, Clodomir graduated from Rutgers University and Cornell Law School and practiced law for over 15 years in a variety of practice areas including family law, education law and criminal prosecution.

A graduate of Rutgers University and Cornell University School of Law, Clodomir practiced criminal law in New York and education law in Delaware prior to moving to North Carolina in 2018 and originally joining the legal staff of the Childrenā€™s Law Center of Central North Carolina.

ā€œIā€™m honored to continue this work as the deanā€™s faculty fellow for inclusive excellence,ā€ Clodomir said. ā€œOver the past year, listening to students and learning from their experiences has reinforced how important it is to build learning environments that recognize and support different ways of thinking and learning. This next phase of my work will focus on creating accessible resources, strengthening inclusive teaching practices, and helping ensure that every student has the tools and confidence to succeed in law school and in the legal profession.ā€

Students Matt Cottrell Lā€™26, Isabel Craige Lā€™26, James Galipeau Lā€™26 and Daulton Hadaway Lā€™26 formed two teams that argued a complex constitutional problem addressing a fictional case surrounding police response to an incident of domestic violence. Advocates developed arguments around whether states may be held liable under the state-created danger doctrine and whether the Fifth Amendmentā€™s Takings Clause requires compensation when private property is destroyed during lawful exercises of police power. ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s moot court participation was made possible through the generous support of Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, at .

After two preliminary rounds before panels of attorneys, professors and judges, the team of Craige and Cottrell advanced to the Round of 12, finishing among the top teams in the national competition.

The students were coached by Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan Woodlief, who directs ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Lawā€™s moot court programs, and Prof. Marty McAuliffe, director of academic and bar success. The coaches praised the studentsā€™ preparation, professionalism and poise as they made oral arguments before multiple panels of competition judges.

For Craige and Cottrell, the experience was both challenging and affirming.

ā€œAs a first-generation law student who had never been in a courtroom before law school, participating in moot court and competing at Regent brought classroom learning to life,ā€ Craige said. ā€œThe process of crafting arguments, receiving feedback from coaches and peers, and presenting before experienced judges strengthened my confidence and helped prepare me fore a career in advocacy.ā€

Cottrell echoed that and added that moot court teaches valuable skills in quick, clear thinking.

“This competition was a great way to really dig into an issue and understand how to argue both sides of a case,” Cottrell said. “Moot court forces you to not only understand your side, your brief, but to be able to argue the opposite position effectively. Our side in our final round was determined by a coin toss, just 30 minutes before the round began. You certainly must be on your toes and know your facts and case law cold.”